Working to Elucidate the Mechanisms of Persistence and Pathogenesis by the Causative Agents of Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever
RESEARCH
LYME DISEASE
RELAPSING FEVER
Research interests involving Lyme disease and Relapsing fever Borrelia species include:
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Antigenic variation and persistence mechanisms
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Host adaptation processes
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Host-pathogen interactions
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Tick-pathogen interactions
LAB MEMBERS
TROY BANKHEAD
Principle Investigator
Over the past 22 years, I have conducted molecular genetic studies on Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease and Relapsing fever. These investigations have focused on identifying the mechanistic determinants responsible for antigenic variation, and genetic factors involved in host adaptation and pathogenesis. The design of these studies has recently evolved to bridge microbial genetics and molecular biology to bacterial pathogenesis under more natural conditions involving the enzootic cycle of the pathogen. Overall, the goal of this work is to ultimately advance our current knowledge of these processes utilized by Borrelia species as it relates to both human infection and the pathogen’s natural life cycle. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, fishing, and traveling with my family.
PREETI SINGH
Research Assistant Professor
AGA GELGIE
Postdoctoral Research Associate
I obtained my PhD from New Delhi, India and completed first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Maryland where I was originally trained in spirochete biology. I developed an immense interest in bacterial pathogenesis with a special emphasis on the host immune response. Thereafter, I obtained my current position in Dr. Bankhead’s lab, and am currently investigating the mechanisms of immune evasion and persistent infection by Borrelia burgdorferi. The major goal of my study is to elucidate the molecular details of the highly efficient antigenic variation system of the spirochete that is responsible for its spectacular persistence during infection of the mammalian host. Apart from the lab, whenever I get time, I like to travel around the world and learn about different cultures and societies!
MAGGIE MUNOZ
Research Technician
I graduated from WSU with a Bachelor’s of Science in biochemistry in 2024 and have been working in Dr. Bankhead’s lab since 2021. I currently work with both Borrelia hermsii and Borrelia burgdorferi, researching the mechanisms of antigenic variation in the relapsing fever pathogen and plasmid copy number regulation in the Lyme disease pathogen. Both projects aim to better understand how Borrelia evades and adapts to host immune responses.
Outside of the lab I spend time with my cat KiKi and my family on the west side of Washington. I also enjoy playing and listening to live music as well as knitting and crochet.
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DANNY POWELL
PhD Graduate Student
I received my BS in Microbiology from WSU in 2018 and immediately thereafter began working in Dr. Bankhead’s lab as a scientific assistant before transitioning into a student role. As a graduate student, I am continuing to split my time between two projects regarding the routine functioning of Borrelia. These projects seek to better characterize the essential nature of protein factors through both mutational analysis and functional inhibition. I am finding both to be very fun. When I have free time, I like to relax with my cat Spongey and draw or take time to visit my family in the Tri-Cities.
NAFISE NOROOZI
PhD Graduate Student
I earned my DVM from Islamic Azad University, Iran, in 2021, where I engaged in extensive research activities, focusing on various aspects of veterinary and medical sciences. In 2023, I joined Washington State University as a PhD student to pursue my passion for immunology. Throughout my academic journey, I've contributed to significant research projects and publications. I am currently working on determining the regulatory mechanism of SR0726, an sRNA in Borrelia burgdorferi. My research focuses on how this sRNA influences gene expression and its role in host adaptation during infection.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy playing board games, hanging out with friends, and hiking around the Palouse and Coeur d'Alene area.
ALISSA CARRENO
Undergraduate Student
I am currently working on my bachelor's degree in microbiology at Washington State University where I had my first research experience as a freshman. I was not initially drawn to research, but as my academics advanced so did my desire to answer questions that had no answers. I began my working in Dr. Bankhead's lab in the fall of 2024 marking the start of my research career. Looking ahead, I would like to expand our knowledge in science one of two areas: Conducting research that aids in preventative heal care solutions or expanding forensic science technology. Outside of school I enjoy cuddling my cats, rock climbing, and getting lost in a good podcast or book.
JAKIYAH JOHNSON
Undergraduate Student
I am currently seeking a BS in general biology, with a minor in criminology, at WSU. I am originally from Dallas, Texas and I migrated to Washington in 2022. I began working in Dr. Bankhead's lab in the fall of 2024 as an undergraduate lab assistant, where I am fortunate to aid in certain experiments and complete lab chores. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, going to concerts, and exploring more of the PNW!
PUBLISHED WORK
The Fruits of Our Labor
Yamasaki, Youki, Preeti Singh, Rubikah Vimonish, Massaro Ueti, and Troy Bankhead. 2024. "Development and Application of an In Vitro Tick Feeding System to Identify Ixodes Tick Environment-Induced Genes of the Lyme Disease Agent, Borrelia burgdorferi" Pathogens 13, no. 6: 487. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060487
Crowley MA and Bankhead T (2022) Potential Regulatory Role in Mammalian Host Adaptation for a Small Intergenic Region of Lp17 in the Lyme Disease Spirochete. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 12:892220. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.892220
Wong JK, Crowley MA, Bankhead T. Deletion of a Genetic Region of lp17 Affects Plasmid Copy Number in Borrelia burgdorferi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 Apr 12;12:884171. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.884171. PMID: 35493747; PMCID: PMC9039534.
Lone AG and Bankhead T. The Borrelia burgdorferi VlsE lipoprotein prevents antibody binding to an arthritis-related surface antigen. Cell Reports 30; 3663–3670, 2020.
Casselli T, Crowley MA, Highland MA, Tourand Y, Bankhead T. A Small Intergenic Region of lp17 is Required for Evasion of Adaptive Immunity and Induction of Pathology by the Lyme Disease Spirochete. Cellular Microbiology. e13029. doi.org/10.1111/cmi.13029, 2019. Editor's Choice Article
James AE, Rogovskyy AS, Crowley MA, Bankhead T. Cis-Acting DNA Elements Flanking the Vmp Expression Site of Borrelia hermsii are Required for Murine Persistence.  MicrobiologyOpen; e569. doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.569, 2018.
Bankhead, T. Role of the VlsE lipoprotein in Immune Avoidance by the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Forum on Immunopathological Diseases and Therapeutics, Vol. 7. No. 3-4. Begel House Inc., 2016.
James AE, Rogovskyy AS, Crowley MA, Bankhead T. Characterization of a DNA Adenine Methyltransferase Gene of Borrelia hermsii and Its Dispensability for Murine Infection and Persistence. PLoS One, 11(5):e0155798, 2016.
Palmer G, Bankhead T, Seifert H. 2016. Antigenic Variation in Bacterial Pathogens. Microbiol Spectrum 4(1): VMBF-0005-2015, 2016.
Casselli T and Bankhead T. Use of in vivo Expression Technology for the Identification of Putative Host Adaptation Factors of the Lyme Disease Spirochete. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 25:349-361, 2015.
Rogovskyy AS, Jones CR, Owen JP, Mason KL, Scoles GA and Bankhead T. Evaluation of the Importance of VlsE Antigenic Variation for the Enzootic Cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi. PLoS One 10(4): e0124268, 2015.
Rogovskyy AS and Bankhead T. Bacterial heterogeneity is a requirement for host superinfection by the Lyme disease spirochete. Infection and Immunity 82: 4542-4552, 2014.
Hove P, Haldorson GJ, Magunda F and Bankhead T. Presence of Arp Specifically Contributes to Joint Tissue Edema Associated with Early Onset Lyme Arthritis. Infection and Immunity 82(1):43-51, 2014.
Rogovskyy AS and Bankhead T. Variable VlsE is Critical for Host Reinfection by the Lyme Disease Spirochete. PLOS One 8(4):e61226, 2013.
Casselli T, Tourand Y and Bankhead T. Altered Murine Tissue Colonization by Borrelia burgdorferi Following the Targeted Deletion of Linear Plasmid 17-Carried Genes. Infection and Immunity 80(5): 1773-1782, 2012.
Full List Of Published Work
LAB NEWS
NAFISE NOROOZI HAS JOINED THE LAB AS A NEW PHD STUDENT!
December 9, 2024
JAKIYAH JOHNSON AND ALISSA CARRENO HAVE JOINED THE LAB AS NEW UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS!
November 6, 2024
CONGRATS TO YOUKI YAMASAKI ON SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDING HIS PHD THESIS! WE WISH DR. YAMASAKI ALL THE BEST IN HIS NEW POSITION AT THE CDC IN HAWAII!
July 23, 2024
MAGGIE MUNOZ HAS OFFICIALLY TAKEN THE ROLE OF RESEARCH TECHNICIAN IN THE LAB!
June 20, 2024
CONGRATS TO MAGGIE MUNOZ ON HER GRADUATION WITH A BS IN BIOCHEMISTRY!
December 16, 2023
April 12, 2022
CONGRATULATIONS TO JESSICA WONG WHO SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE ACVP PHASE II BOARD EXAM, AND IS NOW A BOARD-CERTIFIED PATHOLOGIST! HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT!!
September 29, 2021
